Earth surfacing machine



F. JOHNSON EARTH SURFACING .MAQHIME 5 Sheets-Sheet. 1'

Filed July 8, 1940 R gywmm rizz cfohnson Sept. 9, 1941. F. JOHNSON 2,255,062

EARTH SURFACING MACHINE Filed Jul 8, 'i94o 5 Sheets-Sheet 2;

Fizz r ohnson Sept. 9, 1941.. F. JOHNSON v I EARTH SURFACING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ms hm art/0W Sept. 9, 1941.

F. JOHNSON EARTH SURFAC ING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE chines and is an improvementover the'structure embodied in my copending application for Earth surfacing machines, Serial No. 338.651, filed June 3, 1940.

An object of this invention is to provide, an earth surfacing or working machine including fluid operated means for elevating or lowering the bucket. Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of this type a shiftable bucket hottom, which is so arranged that the material in the bucket may be dumped in a manner to distribute the material.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of this type a swingable gate at the front of the bucket and releasable latching means for locking the gate in open position to permit the filling of the bucket and the subsequent looking of the material in the-bucket, the mounting means for the gate being so constructed as to automatically lock the gate in open position when the bucket bottom has been swung to a dumping position. 7

A still further object of this invention is to provide, a machine of this character wherein the bucket bottom is formed with a rear wall which is fixed relative to the frame and with a swingable combined bottom wall and digging blade, the rear bucket wall constituting a combined material spreading member and depth gauge.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of this type an improved adjustable carrier for the front of the machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of this type hydraulic means for raising or lowering the bucket and for regulating the dumping of the bucket, the hydraulic means including an improved controlling means for regulating the operation of the bucket and the operation of the dumping structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable means for limiting the lowering of the bucket.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed:

In the drawings: Figure l is a detail side elevation of an earth surfacing and material distributing machine constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan partly broken away ofthe machine.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially through the center of the machine.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of the front truck or dolly.

Figure 5 is a diagrammaticview showing the hydraulic pressure circuit.

Figur 6 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section of a modified form of draft structure.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary rear elevation partly in section of the device.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the limiting means for the wheel frame.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on-the line 99 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 3.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line |l-li of Figure '7.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 15 designates generally a bucket frame, the numeral 46 designates generally a wheel frame which is carried by the rear of the bucket frame l5 and the numeral ll designates generally a truck or dolly structure disposed at the front of the bucket frame l5 The bucket frame 65 comprises a rear section l8 and-a front section IS. The rear section It includes a pair of upper side bars formed with an upper straight part 29 and a downwardly and forwardly inclined part 2|. The rear section l8 also includes a pair of lower bars 22 which are formed at their rear ends with a rear upper part 23 engaging beneath the rear of the upper bar 20 and secured thereto as by welding or the like. The lower side bars 22 also include a downwardly and forwardly inclined intermediate part 24 which at its forward end is provided with an obtusely and forwardly projecting part 25. The

downwardly inclined part 2! of the upper'side bar comprising the two sections 20 and 2|, is

welded or otherwise fixed to the forward end of the lower side bar 25. An upright side member 26 is secured at its lower end to the forward end of the side bar 25 and extends upwardly above the upper side bar member 29, being connected to the side bar 20 by means of a brace 21.

The brace 21 is welded or otherwise fixed at its forward end to the upright member 26 and is welded or otherwise fixed at its rear end to the Junction between the two side bar members and 2|. A transverse bar 28 is welded or otherwise fixed between the upper ends of the two uprights 26. The lower side bars are continued forwardly of the uprights 26 as at 29 and are then bent inwardly and upwardly as at 30 and terminate in a forward obtuselydisposed extension 3|. A pair of forward draft bars 32 are disposed above the draft bar comprising the bar sections 29, 30 and 3| and these two draft bars 32 as shown in Figure 2 are disposed in forwardly convergent relation and are welded or otherwise fixed at their rear ends to the uprights 26 and to the opposite ends of the horizontal connecting bar 28. The forward ends of the extensions 3| and the convergent ends of the draft bars 32 terminate in a head 33 forming part of the truck structure II.

The wheel frame i6 comprises an upper horizontal bar 34 of tubular construction which forms a rock shaft extending transversely between the side members 20. The side members 20 at their rearends are each provided with a bushing or sleeve 35 which is fixed thereto as by welding or the like and which constitutes a bearing for the shaft 34. The shaft 34 is rockable in the two bearings 35 and is held against endwise movement by cotter pins 36 or other suitable holding devices. The rock shaft 34 has fixed thereto a plurality of dependent tubularmembers 31 and the outermost of the tubular members 31 are braced relative to the shaft 34 by bracing webs 38 which are welded to the outer sides of the tubular members .31 and the underside of the shaft 34.

Each tubular member 31 has telescoping thereinto an axle adjusting member 39 which is formed with a. plurality of spaced apart openings 40. A locking pin 4| engages through the tubular member 31 and through a selected opening 40 so as to provide a means whereby the wheel frame |6 may be extended or retracted in order to regulate the degree of raising or lowering of the bucket frame l5. Each axle adjusting member 39 is provided at its lower end with one part 42 of an axle clamp and a second or removable axle clamp 43 is adapted to be detachably secured to the fixed clamp 42 by clamping bolts 44 or the like.

An axle 45 engages through the clamping members comprising the clamping jaws 42 and 43 and 'is provided at the opposite ends thereof with ,the cradle 63 is provided intermediate the ends thereof with a pair of trunnions 54 which are rockablein a pair of upright trunnion supporting members 55.

The trunnion supporting members 55 are fixed to a transversely disposed angle bracing member 56 which is secured between the side members 29 at substantially the forward ends of the side members 20. The rear ends of the plunger rods are formed with a pair of spaced ears 51 which engage on opposite sides of an ear or lug 56 which is fixed to the forward side of the outermost pair of wheel frame members 39. A pin or pivotal member 59 engages through the ears 51 and 59 so as to pivotally connect the ears 51 with the ears 58. A collapsible dust protector 66 is disposed about each plunger rod 50 being connected at its forward end as at 6| to the gland member 62-and connected at its rear ends as at 62 to an enlarged collar 63 formed on the rear end of each rod 56.

Fluid pressure is communicated to the cylinders 49 from a pressure pump 64 which is disposed forwardly of the cylinders 49 and preferably the pressure pump 64 is mounted on a trac- V tor or the like which is connected to the truck frame H as will be hereinafter described. A power member 65 is connected to and operates the pump 64. The power member shown in Figure 5 is shown as an electric motor but it will be understood that the pump 64 may be provided nected to the multiple valve 69.

side of the pump 64 has one end of a pipe 1| wheels 46 which are rotatably mounted on the axle 45. The axle 45 adjacent the wheels 46 is formed with bosses or collars 41 which are adapted to limit the inward movement of the wheels 46 and form abutments against which the wheels 46 are adapted to rotatably engage. In order to provide a means whereby the shaft 34 may be lubricated in the bearings 35, I have provided lubricating fittings 48.

In order to provide a means whereby the wheel frame l6 may be rocked relative to the truck frame l5 so as to elevate or lower the truck frame I5, I have provided a pair of hydraulic cylinders49, each of which is formed with a piston slidable therein and each of which has a piston rod 50 extending through a rear head 5|.

4 A gland 52 is carried by the rear head 5| and engages about the rod 50 so as to prevent the fluid in the piston 49 from leaking about the piston or plunger rod 50. Each cylinder 49 is carried by a cradle 53 of substantially semicylindrical configuration in transverse section and .with any suitable power means and if desired pressure pipe line 68 is connected to a four-way.

valve 69. The connecting pipe 61 has one end of a pressure line 10 connected thereto and the opposite end of the pipe or duct 19 is also con- The pressure connected thereto and the pipe 1| has a branch 12 which connects the pipe 1| with the valve 69. The valve 69 is a conventional four-way valve and the fourth side of the valve 69 is connected by means of a return pipe 12 to a fluid reservoir or tank 14. The suction side of the pump 64 is connected by a pipe 15' to the fiuid reservoir or tank 14.

A pressure relief pipe 16 is connected at one end to the pressure line 1| and at the opposite Aconventional relief valve 11 is interposed in the by-pass pipe line 16 so that the pressure in the pipe 1| may be relieved by by-passing the fluid on the pressure side of the pump 64 back to the reservoir 14. It will. be understood that the tank or reservoir 14 may also be provided with a safety valve 18 by means of which excessive pressure in the tank 14 may be dissipated.

Each cylinder 49 is provided with a rear head 19 and cylinder supporting bolts 86 engage through the two heads 5| and 19 and secure the cylinders 49 in the cradles 53. The rear connecting pressure line 61 extends through the rear heads 19 as shown in Figure 3.

. In order to provide a means whereby the wheel frame l6 may be limited in its upward swinging movement, I have provided a pair of wheel frame stop members generally designated as 9|. A transversely disposed horizontal bar 62 is fixed ends to the supporting member 82. A sleeve or.

tubular member 84 telescopes about a depending rod or member 83 and is held in adjusted position relative to a member 83 by means of a retaining bolt or pin 85. The pin 85 extends through a sleeve 88 and through a selected opening 88 which is formed in the depending member 83.

The lower end of the sleeve 84 has fixed thereto a shoe 8'! which is adapted to engage a collar 41 when the wheel frame is rocked upwardly to the position shown in Figure 3. In order to provide a means whereby the wheel frame I3 may be prevented from swinging downwardly and rearwardly to too great an extent, I have provided a chain or flexible member 88 which at its forward end is formed with a clevis 88 engaging an ear 90 which is carried by the rear wall 9| of a bucket structure generally designated as 92. The rear end of the chain 88 has a rear clevis 93 secured thereto which engages an ear or lug 84 carried by the central member 39. a

In practice the wheel frame I8 is limited to substantially .the position shown in Figure 1 in which position the wheel frame is inclined forwardly with respect to the vertical plane of the rock shaft 34. The bucket 92 comprises the rear wall 9| which as shown in Figure 3 is of arcuate configuration in vertical section. The rear wall 9| is fixed at its upper endas by welding or the like to the transverse supporting member or brace 56 and the rear wall 8I at its opposite ends has fixed thereto a pair of side walls 95. The side walls 85 are welded or otherwise fixed to the inner sides of the frame members 2|, 25 and 28 and each side wall 95 at its lower edge has secured thereto as by fastening devices 98, a wear plate 91. The plate 81 projects slightly below the lower edge of the side wall 85 so that the wear plate 91 will take up the wear of the lower edge of the bucket and when the plates 91 become unduly worn, they may be replaced.

An L-shaped bracing member 88 is welded or 7 otherwise fixed to the lower rear side of the back wall 9| and in practice the ear 90 is welded to the bracing member 98. The bracing member 88 is welded along its free edges to the rear side of the rear or back wall 9| as shown in Figure 3.

The bucket 92 also includes a bottom wall 99 which on its underside has secured thereto a pair of, L-shaped bracing members I00. The bracing members I are secured along their free edges to the underside of the bottom wall 88 so as to form a pair of V.-shaped ribs or bracing members extending transversely across the bottom wall 98. The bottom wall 89 at the opposite sides thereof has secured thereto a pair of upwardly extending side walls IOI which are of substantially triangular configuration with the base thereof lowermost. The bottom wall 98 also has secured thereto an intermediate plate I02 which is of substantially triangular configuration. A tubular rock shaft I03 is fixed to the upper ends of the side walls IM and also. extends through and is fixed to the intermediate plate or partition I02. I

The rock shaft I03 is rockably mounted on a fixed shaft I04 which is fixed relative to the outer side walls 95 of the bucket. The shaft I04 may be fixed by means of a nut I05 or other fastening means to the side walls 85. Thebottom wall at its forward edge has secured thereto a diggin blade I08 which is secured to the forward edge of the bottom wall 88 by fastening devices I01. The intermediate plate or partition I02 has fixed thereto anupwardly extending arm I08'which is formed with a pair of downwardly divergent extensions I08 which engage on opposite sides of the plate I02 and are fixed thereto by means of welding or other suitable fastening means.

A bottom wall operating member comprising a hydraulic cylinder I08 is mounted at the rear of the draft section I8. The cylinder I09 is fixed in a rockable cradle IIO which is formed intermediate the ends thereof with trunnions III. The trunnions III are rockable in an upstanding U-shaped support II2 which is fixed to a forwardly extending support or bracing bar H3. The bracing bar H3 is secured at its rear end to the transverse member 28 and extends forwardly and downwardly and is secured at its forward end to the head 33. The'free arms of the U-shaped member II2 are braced by means of a pair of bracing members I which are fixed as by welding or the like at their forward upper ends to the upper ends of the parallel legs of the trumiion supporting member H2 and are welded or otherwise fixed at their rear ends to 1 the transverse member 28.

The cylinder I09 has a plunger slidable therein and a plunger rod II5 is slidable through a gland II8 carried by the rear head II! of the cylinder I08. The rod I I5 has formed on the rearend thereof a bifurcatedcoupling member II8 which is pivotally secured as by apivot member II8 to the upper end of the armor lever I08.

-I24 communicates with the return line 13. The

forward pipe I22 extends through the head I25 at the forward end of .the cylinder I08. The two heads I" and I25 are secured by means of bolts I26 within the cradle H0.

The bucket 82 also includes a forward rock wall or gate generally designated as I21. The gate I2'I includes a front wall I28 of arcuate configuration in vertical section which in its lowered position is adapted to. rest on its lower edge upon the digging blade I06. The front wall I28 has fixed thereto a pair of longitudinally arcuate arms I29, the arms I29 being fixed to the rear side of the front wall I28 by welding or other' suitable fastening means. Each arm I29 at its rear end has secured thereto one part I30 of a bearing structure and a cap I3I coacts-with the bearing member I30 in rockably mounting an arm I29on the rock shaft I03. The two bearing members I30 and I3I are secured together by means of fastening devices I32.

Each bearing structure including the bearing members I30 and I3I is held against endwise movement relative to the rock shaft I03 but permitted rotary movement by means of a pair of collars I33 which are fixed to the rock shaft. I03 and engage on opposite ends of the arm bearing structure including the bearing members I30 and I3I.

The front wallI28 is adapted to be held in an upper inactive position, which is the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 by means of a latching device generally designated as I35. The latching device I 5 includes a lever 538 which at its forward end is formed with 9. depending latching lug Itt which is adapted to engage in a keeper it? formed on the upper edge -of the front well lit. A hook are is carried by the forward end of the arm or lever I82: and as shown in Figure 8. the hook let is adapted to engage over the transverse bar it so as to limit the downward swinging oi the lever iiill. When the hook its engages the bar 28, the latohmember I38 is disposed in latching position. The latching lever Itfi is fixed to one end of a rock shaft I35 which is rockably mounted through a pair of bearings Ht carried by a pair of supporting bars lei. The supporting bars I 'zlI are fixed to the transverse bracing member 58 and also to the transverse bar 28 and are disposed in parallel relation on opposite sides of the lever I08.

The shaft I38 has fixed to the opposite end thereof, an arm i532 which extends forwardly of the shaft its and one end of a link M3 is pivotally connected tothe forward end of the arm M2. A bell crank ll l is rockably mounted on a shaft it carried by a bearing structure M8 fixed to the transverse bar 62$ and one arm ldl of the bell crank t lt is pivotally connected to the link M3. The other arm t lt of the bell crank ltd extends upwardly and has one end of an operating member it connected thereto.

The operating member Ids may be in the form of an elongated operating rod which extends forwardlyof the bucket frame structure I 5 and in a position convenient to the operator of the tractor sitting on the tractor forwardly of the bucket frame It. The latching lever I is constantly urged to a latching position by means of a spring I59 which at one end is connected with the link structure H3 and at the opposite end is connected to an eye I553 carried by the rear end of the arm li -l2. The truck structure or dolly I'I comprises a depending housing I 5i which is securedto the head 33 and is formed with a spindle socket or bore I52. A spindle I 53 is adapted to rotatsbly engage in the socket IE2 and the spindle l53-is formed with a pair of peripheral grooves I51 ad- Jacent the upper end thereof. The spindle I53 has formed on the lower end thereof, an annular head I55 engaging in a bore I56 formed in the lower end of the housing I5I. An antifriction bearing I5l engages about the spindle I53 and against the upper side of the head I55. A shim I53 engages about the spindle I53 and at its lower end engages against the upper side of the anti-friction bearing I51. The upper end of the shim I53 engages against a shoulder I58 formed by the thrust bearing bore I at its upper end. The spindle I53 is rotatably or swivelly retained in the bore I52 by means of a retaining bolt I60 which is threaded through the housing I5I and engages in one of the grooves I54.

By providing the shim I58, the spindle I53 may be adjusted lengthwise of the housing I5I. In other words, with the shim I58 in the'bore I58, the head I of the spindle will be in an extended position and the, retaining bolt I will be engaged in theuppermost of the grooves I58 as shown in Figure 4. In the event it is desired h to lower the forward end of the front section I3, the shim I58 may be removed and with the shim I58 removed the retaining bolt I50 will eng e in the lowermost of the grooves I58.

The head I55 of the spindle 158 is fixed to an axle structure IBI The axle structure ISI includes a tubular housing I32 through which an axle I83 engages. A pair of truck wheels I56 are rotatably carried by the axle I63.

A hitch device generally designated as I is secured to the-axle structure I M and includes a bifurcated member or clevis I86 which is rockably mounted on a pin or shaft l5)! engaging through a forwardly'projecting car 58 carried by the forward side of the axle structure IBI. A shaft or spindle I69 is carried by the clevis I and slidably engages in a housing I'I0 which is fixed between a pair of draft arms Ill. The housing I70 is formed with a rear well I'll having an opening IE3 through which the spindle or shaft its slidably engages. A spring Ilt is disposed about the shaft or spindle I69 within the housing Hi3 and one end of the spring I1 3 bears against the rear wall I'l? and the opposite or front end of the spring il l bears against a washer lit which is mounted on the spindle or shaft I50 and held by means of a retaining pin I16.

The draft arms I'll are disposed in parallel relation and extend forwardly of the housing I10. The arms iii are each formed adjacent the forward ends thereof with an obtusely bent extension Ill terminating in a horizontal ear I78 which is formed with an opening I19.

The two cars lit are disposed in parallel relation and a securing member in the form of a pin or bolt is adapted to engage through the aligned openings I179 and also through a draft ear or lug which is carried by the rear of the tractorstructure. A spacing block Itfl'is interposed between the forward end portions of the draft arms Ill and is secured therebetween by means of a bolt or fastening member Itl. The block or spacing member I83 provides a means whereby the two arms Ill will be held in parallel relation and prevented from bending from the pull exerted on the draft device by the tractor.

In Figure 6, there is disclosed a slightly modifled form of a front section of the bucket frame wherein the truck or dolly structure I? has been eliminated. It will be understood that the frame structure shown in Figure 6 will include the bucket structure. and the wheel frame structure shown in Figure 1. In the form shown in Figure 6, the draft .bars 32 are formed with a rear part I82 and a forward obtusely disposed and downwardly extending part I83. The upper draft bars 32 are disposed in substantially V-shape, converging forwardly toward a. vertically disposed draft plate I8d. The forward ends of the forward parts I83 are secured on opposite sides of the draft plate I84 by welding M35 or the like. The lower draft bars of the forward section I8 are formed-with a rear part I83 and a forwardly and upwardly extending part It! which is bent inwardly. There are twoof these draft members comprising the parts I85 and I 01 and these members are disposed in forwardly. convergent relation, being secured as by welding I88 on opposite sides of the draft plate W5.

A U-shaped hitch attaching member I88 is se- I cured to the draft plate I84 by means of a. pair of fastening devices I90 which engage through selected pairs of holes ISI formed along the front portion of the plate I84. A hitch member I02 is carried by the attaching member I09 and is constructed in every detail similar to the hitch device I35.

In the use and operation of this device, when the device is moving over the ground with the bucket member 92 in an inoperative or inactive position, the bucket frame I5 will be disposed in the position shown inFigure 1 wherein the wheel frame I6 is at its rearmost position determined by the length of the chain 99. The hitch member I65 is adapted to be attached to the draft plate at the rear of a tractor and the pressure tank I4 together with the pump 64 and the power member 95 are adapted 'to be mounted at a suitable pointpreferably on the tractor. When it is desired to lower the bucket 62, the valve member 99 is operated to communiat the rear ends of the cylinders 49 will draw.

the piston rods or plunger rods 50 inwardly causing cylinders 49 to thereby raise the wheel frame I to substantially the position shown in Figure 3. The pressure of fluid-in the cylinders 49 will raise the wheel frame I6 to the limit permitted by the stop members 8I. The raising of the wheel frame I will effect a lowering of the bucket frame I6 to the position shown in Figure 3 so that the blade I06 will bite into the earth. When the blade I06 and the bottom 99 are in a digging position, which is the position shown in Figure 3, the gate I2'I will be raised to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3.

The gate I21 is held in the upper inactive position by means of the latch structure I34. After the bucket 92 has been filled to the desired degree, the gate I21 may be released so that it will gravitatingly fall downwardly to a closed lower time that the branch pressure' shown in full lines in Figure 3. However. as the latching dog I36 has locked the front wall I2'I in its upper inactive position, the front wall I21 will not swing downwardly with the bottom wall 99 so that the bucket 92 can be immediately lowe ered to a digging or active position.

What I claim is:

1. An earth surfacing and distributing machine comprising a bucket supporting frame, a wheel frame at the rear of said bucket frame, means swingably securing said wheel frame to said bucket frame, wheels carried by said wheel frame, hydraulic means for swinging said wheel frame to thereby elevate or lower said bucket frame, a bucket carried by said bucket frame, and dependent means carried by said bucket frame disposed in the path of the wheel frame for limiting'the swinging of thewheel frame in one direction, said dependent means including a supporting means, a pair of telescopically arranged members carried by said supporting means, and means adjustably holding one of said members relative to the other member to thereby limit the swinging of said wheel frame relative position so as to retain the material within the bucket 92. The bucket frame I5 may then be raised by turning the valve 69 to a position communicating the pressure line I0 with the pressure line 12. This will effect outward movement of the plunger rods 50 to the position shown in Figure 1 wherein the bucket 92 is in' a raised and loaded position.

In the event it is desired to distribute a small quantity of the material in the bucket on the surface of the ground, the bottom member 99 may be rocked forwardly and upwardly to a slight degree so as to thereby form a spaceb'etween the rear edge of the bottom member 99 and the forward lower edge of the rear wall 9I. At this time the bottom wall 99 will be in an upwardly inclined position at its forward edge and the upward swinging of the bottom wall 99 will also swing the frontwall I21 upwardly. therewith.

However, in the event it is desired to dump the bucket in one operation, the valve I2I is operated to communicate the pipe line I22 with the pressure line I23 so as to swing the lever or'arm I09 rearwardly to the limit of its movement and rock the bottom 99 forwardly and upwardly to its limit. At this time the front wall I21 will be in the dotted line position shownin Figure 3 and the latching dog I36 will be engaged with the keeper I31. After thematerial has been dumped from the bucket, the valve I2I may be turned to communicate the pressure line I20 with the pressure line I23. This will cause the plunger member II5 to be pulled forwardly so as to swing the bottom member 99 downwardly to the position to said bucket .frame.- 3

2. An earth surfacing and distributing machine comprising a bucket supporting frame, a

wheel frame at the rear of said bucket frame,

means swingably securing said wheel frame to said bucket frame, wheelscarried by said wheel frame, means for swinging said wheel frame to thereby elevate or lower said bucket frame, a bucket carried by said bucket. frame, and dependent means carried by said bucket frame disposed in the path of the wheel frame for limiting the swingingof the wheel frame in one direction, said dependent means including a supporting means, a pair of telescopically arranged members carried by said supporting means, and means adjustably holding one of said members relative to the other member to thereby limit the swinging of said wheel frame relative to said bucket frame.

3. Anearth surfacing and distributing device comprising a frame, means at one end of said frame supporting said frame in a manner whereby said frame may be raised or lowered, and a combined excavating and material distributing bucket carried by said frame, said bucket including fixed rear andside walls, a combined bottom wall and digging blade, means swingably supporting said bottom wall between said side walls, means for swinging said bottom wall from a lower digging position to an upper dumping position, a front wall for said bucket, means swingably supporting said front wall, said front wall being engageable at its lower rearedge with the forward portion of said bottom wall whereby upward swinging of said bottom wallwill swing said front wall upwardly, and a spring-pressed latching means carried by said frame engageable with said front wall for releasably latching saidfront :wall in an upper inactive position.

4. An earth surfacing and distributing device comprising a frame, means at one end of said frame supporting said frame in a manner whereby said frame may be raised or lowered, and a combined excavating and material distributing bucket carried bysaid frame, said bucket including fixed'rear and side walls, acombined bottom wall'and digging blade, means swingably supporting said bottom wall 'between said side walls, hydraulic means for swinging said bottom wall from a lower digging position to an upperdumping' position, a front wall for said bucket, means swingably supporting said front wall, said front wall! lbeing engageable at its lower rear edge with the forward portion of said bottom wall whereby upward swinging of said bottom wall will swing said front wall upwardly, and a spring-pressed latching means carried by said frame engageable with said front wall for releasably latching said front wall in an. upper inactive position.

5. An earth surfacing and distributing device comprising a frame, means at one end of said frame supporting said frame in a manner wbereby said frame may be raised or lowered, and a combined excavating and material distributing bucket carried by said frame, said bucket including fixed rear and side walls, a combined bottom wall and digging blade loosely disposed between said side walls, an upstanding arm carried by said bottom wall, means carried by said frame engageable with said arm for swinging said bottom wall from a lower digging position to an up per dumping position, a front wall for said bucket disposed between said side walls, means swingably supporting said front wall, said front wall being engageable at its lower rear edge with the forward portion of said bottom wall whereby upward swinging of said bottom wall will swing said front wall upwardly, and a springpressed latching means carried by said frame engageable with said front wall for releasably latching said front wall in an, upper inactive position.

6. An earth surfacing and distributing machine, comprising a bucket frame, a bucket carried by said frame, a wheel frame, and means swingably mounting said wheel frame on said bucket-frame, said wheel frame comprising an upper horizontal bar, a plurality of parallel tubular members dependingly fixed tosaid bar, an axle parallel with said upper bar, a plurality of axle adjusting members telescoping said tubular members, means locking said axle adjusting members in adjusted position relative to said tubular members, an axle clamping element fixedly carried by the lower end oi'each axle adjusting member, a second axle clamping element, and means securing said elements together to thereby removably secure said axle adjusting members on said axle.

'7. An earth surfacing and distributing machine comprising a bucket frame, a bucket carried by said frame, an extensible wheel frame inor lower said bucket, and means carried by said bucket frame for limiting the swinging of said wheel frame in one direction.

8. An earth surfacing and distributing machine comprising a bucket frame, a wheel frame at one end of said bucket frame and a bucket carried by said bucket frame, said bucket comprising rear and side walls fixed relative to said bucket frame, a transversely disposed stationary shaft carried by said side walls, a bottom wall, a tubular rock shaft carried by said stationary shaft,

' plate, and a bottom wall operating member careluding upper and lower telescoping members,

means locking said members in adjusted position relative to each other, an upper horizontal bar fixed to said upper members, means swingably mounting said bar on said bucket frame, an axle, means detachably clamping said lower members on said axle, means carried by said bucket frame for swinging said wheel frame to thereby elevate a pair of bottom wall suspending plates fixed to said tubular shaft and said bottom wall, an intermediate plate fixed to said bottom wall and said tubular shaft, a digging blade carried by the forward edge of said bottom wall, an upwardly extending arm fixed to said intermediate ried by said bucket frame, and connected to said arm.

9. An earth surfacing and distributing machine comprising a bucket frame, a wheel frame at one end of said bucket frame and a bucket carried by said bucket frame, said bucket com prising rear and side walls fixed relative to said bucket frame, a transversely disposed stationary shaft carried by said side walls, a bottom wall, a tubular rock shaft carried by'said stationary shaft, a pair of bottom wall suspending plates fixed to said tubular shaft and said bottom wall, an intermediate plate fixed to said bottom wall and said tubular shaft, :3, digging blade carried by the forward edge of said bottom well, an upwardly extending arm fixed to said intermediate plate, a bottom wall operating member carried by said bucket frame and connected to said arm, a front wall, supporting arms fixed to said front wall, means pivotally mounting said arms on said tubular shaft, a keeper carried by said front wall, and a spring-pressed latch carried by said bucket frame engageable with said keeper for releasably holding said front wall in an upper inactive position.

10. In an earth surfacing machine including a mobileframe, a. bucket supported by said frame and comprising opposite side walls, a rear wall fixed to said side walls, a bottom wall and excavating member disposed loosely between said side walls, means swingably supporting said member between said side walls, a front wall between said side walls, means swingably supporting said front wall between said side walls whereby said front wall when in a lower hopper forming position will engage said member, "and releasable latching means carried by said frame for latching said front wall in an upper position spaced from said member.

FRITZ JOHNSON. 

